Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Hayward, CA
VS
Vancouver, WA
🏆 Vancouver leads 14 of 23 categories
Hayward
California
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
118.2⚠ High
Median Household Income
$105,371 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
126⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
160,602
Vancouver
Washington
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
106.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$73,626
Violent Crime Index
153⚠ High
Population
190,700 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Hayward, CA
Pros
Households earn $31,745 more per year on average
18% less violent crime than Vancouver
Milder winters — January highs near 59°F vs 47°F
Cooler summers — July highs near 75°F vs 81°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $775,700
Higher rents — median is $2,260/mo
Violent crime (477.1/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 118.2)
Vancouver, WA
Pros
Homes cost $372k less ($403,400 vs $775,700)
Rent averages $735/mo less ($1,525 vs $2,260)
Commutes run 10 min shorter each way
12% cheaper overall cost of living than Hayward
Smaller class sizes — 17.0:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Median income trails Hayward by $31,745/yr
Violent crime (582.3/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3407.3/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Hayward
Median Income
$31,745
$105,371 vs $73,626/yr
Hayward
Violent Crime
18% lower
477.1 vs 582.3 per 100k
Vancouver
Cost of Living
12% cheaper
COL index 106.6 vs 118.2 (100 = US avg)
Vancouver
Median Home Value
$372k less
$403,400 vs $775,700
Vancouver
Summer Heat
6.2°F warmer
July avg high 80.9°F vs 74.7°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Vancouver, WA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 118.2⚠ High | 106.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $775,700⚠ High | $403,400⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $2,260⚠ High | $1,525⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $105,371 ✓ Higher | $73,626 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7%⚠ High | 5.6%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 34.2 min⚠ High | 23.9 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 11.3% | 13.8% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 145⚠ High ✓ Safer | 157⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 126⚠ High ✓ Safer | 153⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 174⚠ High | 162⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (88) | B (97) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 21.3:1 | 17.0:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 31.5% ✓ Higher | 31.2% |
| High School or Higher | 82.6% | 91.3% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Hayward Unified | Evergreen School District (Clark) |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 59.3°F ✓ Warmer | 47.0°F |
| Avg High — July | 74.7°F | 80.9°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 16.0" ✓ Drier | 44.4" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 4.2" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 160,602 | 190,700 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 37.6 ✓ Older | 37.4 |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.5% ✓ Higher | 50.9% |
| Under 18 | 20.0% | 21.5% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 13.2% | 16.1% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Hayward's cost of living index is 118.2 vs Vancouver's 106.6 (US average = 100).
Vancouver is 12% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Vancouver leads 14 of 23 categories. Hayward wins 9 and Vancouver wins 14. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Hayward to Vancouver or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($775,700 vs $403,400 median home), income ($105,371 vs $73,626), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Hayward, CA and Vancouver, WA are about 554 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.